New Transradial Access Educational Web Site Launched

March 25, 2010 – The Transradial University Web site was launched this week to help expand the use of transradial access as an alternative vascular access site. As transradial adoption expands in the U.S., two key limiting factors are training and experience.

The interactive website, www.transradialuniversity.com offers on-demand informational modules intended to provide physicians an introduction to various aspects of transradial cases from arterial access through hemostasis, including tips and tricks, with contributions from leading transradialists.

“There is definitely a huge demand for transradial education in the U.S., greater than we have seen in the past,” said Sunil V. Rao, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, assistant professor of medicine, Duke University Medical Center, and director, cardiac catheterization laboratories, Durham VA Medical Center. “There are both clinical and economic factors driving transradial interest, but the demand is outstripping the availability of educational options.”

Dr. Rao is one of a number of transradial interventionalists contributing to content development and case modules for Transradial University.

Transradial access uses the arteries of the wrist, rather than the groin, to gain access to the heart. It is the leading access strategy in many countries of the world, but not the United States. In the U.S., transradial access accounts for an estimated 3-5 percent of cases, where femoral access has been the default strategy. The primary reason for this is physician training and habit. But, femoral access also has identified drawbacks, such as increased bleeding. In various clinical studies, transradial access has shown the potential to reduce these complications. Further, it has the potential to reduce overall costs by increasing the number of outpatient diagnostic and angioplasty procedures, eliminate costs associated with extended stays and hospital re-admissions, and increase patient satisfaction.

A complex PCI case to revascularize a chronic total occlusion (CTO) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Complex PCI and CHIP cases are increasing patient volumes in the cath lab and using a minimally invasive approach in patients who otherwise would have been sent for CABG. Pictured is Khaldoon Alaswad, M.D. (right) who is proctoring a fellow in treating CTOs.